Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has supplied essential laboratory equipment to the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences at the University of Ghana.
TİKA provided binoculars and microscopes to support the department’s hands-on education program, which currently operates with limited resources. Despite having 700 students and three large laboratories, the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences previously had only seven functioning microscopes.
Student community calls for support
The National Health Students Association of Ghana (NAHSAG), a student organization formed by medical students, issued a call for support by communicating the department’s need for microscopes to the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Accra.
In response to this request, TİKA supplied nine binocular microscopes and two digital microscopes to the university’s laboratories, effectively doubling their previous capacity, which had consisted of only seven outdated microscopes. TİKA also provided training to university staff on the use of these new microscopes, which are equipped with high-resolution screens.
Delivery ceremony held on October 29
The equipment delivery ceremony took place at the University of Ghana on October 29, 2024 in celebration of Republic Day. The event was attended by Hüseyin Güngör, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Accra; Alhaji Hafiz Adam, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health of Ghana; TİKA’ Coordinator in Niamey, Tanju Polat and representatives from the University of Ghana.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Güngör spoke to guests about the founding of the Republic of Türkiye in honor of Republic Day. He highlighted the significance of bilateral cooperation in advancing social and human development and discussed Turkish investments in Ghana. Güngör expressed his belief that cooperation between the two countries will continue to strengthen.
TİKA Coordinator Polat remarked that Türkiye-Ghana technical cooperation is expanding across various fields, including vocational training, digital design laboratories and media training, and that this cooperation is further enriched with the recent initiative to supply next-generation microscopes.
Mr. Hafiz Adam, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health of Ghana, highlighted Türkiye as a key partner in Ghana’s economic development, noting that Ghana has now become the country with the second-largest commercial investment from Türkiye.
He also acknowledged TİKA’s contributions, expressing gratitude to the Turkish people for the previously established Al-Jazari Digital Production Laboratory and for the next-generation microscopes provided on this occasion.
The project aims to support public hospitals in Ghana with essential microbiology technology by enhancing the technical and technological capacity of the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, while also improving research and training opportunities.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided humanitarian aid packages containing dry food items and 5 tons of hygiene materials for public facilities, benefiting 2,500 families in need across Lebanon.
Due to the war in Lebanon, 1.6 million people from the southern cities of Bekaa and Beirut have been forced to leave their homes and migrate to relatively safer areas, primarily in the northern part of the country.
This mass migration has led to rising regional unemployment rates and increasing prices for rent and basic necessities, impacting not only those displaced but also the local populations in the host regions.
In Lebanon, 2,500 families in need, including Turkmen families and compatriots from Mardin, received humanitarian aid packages containing dry food supplies and 5 tonnes of hygiene materials for public facilities. The distribution program, conducted in cooperation with TİKA and the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Beirut, took place in Bekaa, Beirut and other northern provinces of Lebanon.
The opening ceremony of the Department of Turkology at the Faculty of Philology, Hasan Prishtina University, which was renovated and equipped by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), took place recently.
As part of the project, the classrooms and administrative units of the Turkology department at the university in the capital city of Pristina were renovated, significantly enhancing the department’s physical infrastructure.
The opening ceremony was attended by Kosovo’s Minister of Regional Development, Fikrim Damka; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pristina, Sabri Tunç Angılı; Vice Rector of Hasan Prishtina University, Naim Jerliu; TİKA Vice President, Dr. Mahmut Çevik; MP of the Democratic Turkish Party of Kosovo, Fidan Brina Jılta; Dean of the Faculty of Philology at Hasan Prishtina University, Abdulla Rexhepi; Head of the Turkology Department, Ergin Jable; as well as representatives from Turkish institutions, academics and students.
750 Projects by TİKA in 19 Years
Speaking at the opening ceremony, TİKA Vice President Dr. Çevik stated that the agency has been active in Kosovo across various sectors since 2005, implementing a total of 750 projects to date.
Dr. Çevik remarked, “Since our establishment as TİKA in 1992, we have placed significant emphasis on the development of the Turkish language. Across this region, from Central Asia to the Balkans, we have completed 121 projects dedicated to the Turkish language, culture, Turkology and Turkish studies.”
“Turkish will live on these lands for eternity”
Minister Damka emphasized the importance of preserving the Department of Turkish Language and Literature and ensuring the accurate transmission of the Turkish language to future generations. Highlighting that Turkish in Kosovo represents the language of a people who have historically led in the Balkans, Damka expressed his hope saying, “I hope Turkish will live on these lands for eternity.”
“Kosovo: A Cultural Hub of the Turkic World”
Ambassador Angılı remarked that Kosovo, as a young state, is home to communities with a rich and profound history.
He highlighted that the Department of Turkology, alongside the University of Pristina, brings significant value to the independent and sovereign Republic of Kosovo. Angılı stated, “Kosovo is also one of the cultural centers of the Balkans, Europe and the Turkic World. This was true historically, and I am confident it will remain so today and in the future.”
The ceremony concluded with Dr. Çevik presenting guests with copies of ‘Büyük Türkçe Sözlük’ (the Grand Turkish Dictionary) and a group photo.
This project, which aims to strengthen the presence of Turkish language and culture in Kosovo, stands as a tangible example of cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has renovated the Ali Haşim Muhtaroğlu Astroturf Field in Tuz Khurmatu, a Turkmen region in Iraq.
The astroturf field, originally built by Ali Haşim Muhtaroğlu, Vice President of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, in the town of Yengejeh in 2012, had fallen into neglect and disrepair during the Daesh attacks. Turkmen politician Ali Haşim Muhtaroğlu was martyred in a bombing in 2013. With DAESH present in the area, many residents had to abandon the region. TİKA is now contributing to revitalizing social life and encouraging reverse migration by enriching the community and enabling young people to engage in sports. The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Akil Ali Haşim Muhtaroğlu, Vice President of ITF (Iraqi Turkmen Front) Selahaddin; TİKA’s Coordinator, Oğuzhan Dinler; Selahaddin Turkmen Education Director and numerous guests.
Speaking at the ceremony, Akil Ali Haşim, Vice President of the ITF, said “We frequently witness the impactful projects TİKA implements across Iraq, especially in the Türkmeneli regions. Unfortunately, this field had been neglected since 2014. They responded promptly to the request from the people of Yengejeh and restored the field to usability as soon as possible.” Haşim noted that the field was originally built by the late Ali Haşim Muhtaroğlu in 2012, who was martyred a year later, and that no other party had attempted repairs until now. He expressed hope that young people will begin using the field and help contribute to the revitalization of the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, TİKA’s Coordinator in Iraq; Oğuzhan Dinler said, “With this project, we aim to provide a healthy and safe sports field for our young people while also strengthening social bonds. At TİKA, we prioritize friendship, solidarity and development in our projects around the world.” Dinler highlighted that Iraqi Turkmens are a longstanding community that has significantly enriched the country’s cultural heritage. He thanked the project team and the ITF for their support, expressing hope that the astroturf field will benefit the entire community, especially young people. Following the opening, a football match was held between local teams.
The Turkish Language Center, established within Lahore Government College University—the oldest higher education institution in Pakistan—was inaugurated following its renovation by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
Ali Erbaş, Acting Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Lahore; Prof. Dr. Shazia Bashir, Rector of Lahore Government College University; Muhsin Balcı, TİKA’s Coordinator in Islamabad; Dr. Mehmet Toyran, Education Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Islamabad, faculty members and many guests attended the opening ceremony.
Rector Bashir emphasized that with the establishment of the Turkish Language Center, students will gain a closer understanding of Turkish culture, which will strengthen the bond between the people of both countries. She expressed her gratitude to TİKA for its support in bringing this project to fruition.
About Lahore Government College University
Under the framework of the Academic Cooperation Protocol signed between the Education Counsellor’s Office of the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad and Lahore Government College University, interest in Turkish language courses, introduced as electives in the 2023-2024 academic year, is growing steadily.
Currently, around 300 students are enrolled in Turkish language courses, which have drawn considerable interest from university students.
The ‘TALENT for BIZ’ career fair was held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, coordinated by the Human Resources Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, with support from Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA).
At the event held in Sarajevo, Turkish institutions and organizations operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina presented career opportunities to Turkish and Bosniak youth.
TİKA hosted a booth at the ‘TALENT for BIZ’ event, which supports Türkiye’s aim to become a hub for global talent and seeks to inform young people studying or living abroad about Turkish companies working internationally and potential career opportunities. TİKA shared details of its projects and activities with attendees and provided information on career prospects within the organization.
Turkish institutions and organizations, including ASELSAN, Halkbank, the Turkish Space Agency (TUA), Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Turkish Airlines, Türk Telekom, Yunus Emre Institute, Turkish Maarif Foundation, Şişecam, Proyapı Engineering and Consultancy, and Ziraat Bank, also participated in the fair.
Human resources representatives from these companies conducted informational sessions with attendees about job and internship opportunities, while workshops were held for students as well.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has provided equipment to the Medical Plant Biology Laboratory at Stellenbosch University, which continues its educational and research activities in South Africa.
TİKA provided equipment support to the Medical Plant Biology Laboratory at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, ranked among the world’s top 200 universities in plant and animal sciences.
Through this project, a centrifuge machine, water purification system, spectrophotometer, plant growth chamber and lyophilizer were provided to support the cultivation of plants under controlled conditions, DNA analysis and the preservation of plants and extracts as required.
South Africa is home to 9,000 endemic plant species
South Africa hosts approximately 9,000 plant species, the majority of which are endemic. These plants, integral to the development of traditional medicine, have been used by local communities for medicinal purposes over centuries.
However, during the apartheid era the Witchcraft Suppression Act 3 of 1957 restricted this usage. Following the repeal of this law in 1994, academic research surged, allowing many native plants to be widely adopted in medicine and cosmetics.
Stellenbosch University is now dedicated to integrating traditional knowledge into academic research. To support this, TİKA provided the university with equipment to study the reactions of local plants to different production conditions, determine optimal cultivation and storage methods and conduct DNA-level analyses.
Handover ceremony organized
The handover ceremony was attended by Yonca Sunel, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Cape Town; Abdulkadir Abukan, TİKA’s Coordinator in Pretoria; Vim de Villiers, Rector of Stellenbosch University; Sibusiso Moyo, Vice Rector; as well as academics and students.
During the ceremony, Rector de Villiers expressed gratitude to TİKA for its contributions. Vice Rector Moyo emphasized the significance of international cooperation in enhancing the university’s research capacity and provided information about the partnerships with universities in Türkiye.
Consul General Sunel noted that this program marked her first official visit since her appointment and expressed her pleasure in collaborating with the esteemed institutions of South Africa.
About Stellenbosch University
Founded in 1918 in the Western Cape region of South Africa, Stellenbosch University is recognized as one of the oldest active universities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Today, the university offers educational services to over thirty thousand students across 10 faculties and 139 departments, consistently ranking among the top 500 universities in the world.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Hungarian Aid Agency, affiliated with Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic development partnership.
The signing ceremony at TİKA Headquarters was attended by TİKA President Serkan Kayalar; Hungarian Aid Agency General Manager, Péter Kovács; Undersecretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tristan Azbej; Hungarian Ambassador to Ankara, Viktor Matis; and TİKA’s Head of Foreign Relations and Partnerships, Uğur Tanyeli.
The memorandum of understanding, aimed at fostering cooperation between the two countries across various fields and developing joint projects, was signed by TİKA President Serkan Kayalar and Hungarian Aid Agency General Manager Péter Kovács.
Under the memorandum of understanding, cooperation is planned in various fields, including education, healthcare, cultural heritage preservation, women’s empowerment, vocational training and climate initiatives.
The agreement seeks to deepen the existing relationship between the two countries and enhance collaboration on international development aid.
The Hungarian Aid Agency, a state institution established in 2019, has been operating under the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade since 2022.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has renovated the Manuscript and Rare Works Library at Punjab University, which houses over 22,000 manuscripts, as part of its Manuscript Preservation Program in Pakistan.
As part of the project undertaken by TİKA, a compact cabinet system, updated lighting and air conditioning were installed in the library’s archive section. Additionally, modern cleaning equipment was provided, ensuring the library meets the necessary standards for manuscript preservation.
The opening ceremony for the project was attended by Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye, Ali Erbaş; Punjab University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Halit Mamud; TİKA’s Coordinator in Islamabad, Muhsin Balcı; Head of the Book Hospital and Archive Department of the Turkish Manuscripts Institution, Dr. Nil Baydar, along with academicians and members of the press.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Erbaş highlighted Punjab University’s remarkable manuscript collection, stating that the project, along with efforts in preservation and digitization, will help uncover many lesser-known works of Islamic civilization.
Prof. Dr. Mahmud noted that Punjab University holds Pakistan’s largest collection with 22,000 manuscripts and expressed gratitude to TİKA for their support in preserving these invaluable works through the project.
To encourage women’s entrepreneurial activities in Palestine, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has supplied equipment to unions and associations with women members.
Through a collaboration between TİKA and the South Hebron Chamber of Commerce, based in one of Palestine’s largest governorates, projects are being developed under the “Palestinian Women Entrepreneurs Empowerment Program” to increase women’s participation in the economy.
As part of the program, TİKA provided equipment support to women’s unions and associations in Hebron.
In total, 14 women’s associations and business owners operating in 5 different towns in Hebron received various equipment, including olive crushing, grape pressing and grain grinding machines as well as dough mixers, mincing machines, steam boiler irons, printing machines and sewing and overlock machines.
Public relations and media department established
To support production processes, enhance the promotion and marketing capabilities of these associations and businesses and help them reach wider audiences with their products, a public relations and media department has been established within the South Hebron Chamber of Commerce. This department will provide training and consultancy services to women producers on marketing strategies and effective communication with the media.
As part of the program, TİKA has previously implemented projects such as the “Producing Women’s Kitchen and Training Hall” and the “Traditional Palestinian Products Market,” both aimed at increasing women’s participation in economic life.
The renovation work at the Hazret Omar Mosque in Benin, carried out by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), has been successfully completed.
In Benin, where a significant portion of the population is Muslim, there are limited facilities for young people to meet their religious and social needs due to financial constraints.
Solidarity activities centered around the mosque play a key role in bringing people together and shaping social life.
In this context, Beninese Muslim students, who gather around the Hazret Omar Mosque, which serves as both a social center and a place of worship, unite Muslim university and high school students from across Benin under an umbrella association they have established.
Beninese youth call for TİKA’s support
Young members of the Benin Muslim Students Cultural Association have reached out to TİKA, through the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Cotonou, seeking support to address the capacity, insulation, infrastructure and equipment deficiencies of the mosque they use for various purposes. The mosque, built with limited resources, serves as an important center for the community.
TİKA, responding positively to the call for assistance from Beninese Muslim students, initiated the renovation of the Hazret Omar Mosque.
Both the interior and exterior facades of the mosque were refurbished with roof repairs, insulation and the installation of a multi-purpose terrace completed.
In addition to providing a water tank, water connection lines were laid, and the ablution facilities and toilets were swiftly renovated.
Finally, the necessary sound systems were installed, and paving stones were laid around the mosque.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the newly renovated Association Center and Mosque was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Cotonou, Mesut Koç; President of the Benin Islamic Union, Imam Idrissou Lemanou Boukary; and TİKA’s Coordinator in Niamey, Tanju Polat.
In his speech at the ceremony, Imam Boukary expressed that they have always felt the strong support of Türkiye.
TİKA’s Coordinator in Niamey, Tanju Polat provided information about the project and thanked all those who contributed to its success.
Ambassador Koç highlighted Türkiye’s development assistance efforts in Benin and emphasized that TİKA’s activities in the region will continue.
The project aims to provide better conditions for the hundreds of young people who come to the Hazret Omar Mosque for worship as well as to encourage social activities organized by the association.
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has established 23 greenhouses, each measuring one hundred square meters, for women farmers in Kosovo.
The ceremony held in the village of Dobrusha, part of the Istog Municipality, was attended by TİKA’s Vice President, Mahmut Çevik; Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister for Minority Affairs and Human Rights, Emilija Redžepi; Türkiye’s Ambassador to Pristina, Sabri Tunç Angılı; TİKA’s Coordinator in Pristina, Fulya Aslan; Vaš Kutak Women’s Association Vice President, Anesa Abazović and local farmers.
In his speech, TİKA Vice President Çevik noted that they have implemented numerous projects aimed at the development of all ethnic groups living in the Balkans.
He stated that they have carried out over 50 agricultural production support projects in Kosovo and added, “We promise to always support the agricultural production of our women and girls, which will contribute to the economy of Kosovo through our projects and programs.”
“This is proof that Bosnians and Turks have been brotherly peoples for centuries”
Deputy Prime Minister Redžepi remarked that women farmers are smiling thanks to TİKA’s support stating, “This is proof that Bosnians and Turks have been brotherly peoples for centuries.”
Ambassador Angılı also emphasized that the production of women farmers will contribute to the Kosovo economy stating, “I would like to express my gratitude to TİKA for this project, which brings together women and agricultural production. I believe this is of great importance for Kosovo to become a stronger and more prosperous country in the future.”
Vaš Kutak Women’s Association Vice President Abazović emphasized that the greenhouses established with TİKA’s support will help improve the community’s living standards and strengthen agricultural production.
As part of the “Greenhouse Support for Women Farmers in Istog Municipality Project,” TİKA established 23 greenhouses each measuring one hundred square meters for women farmers, most of whom are Bosnian members of the Vaš Kutak Women’s Association.
